Traditions and Trivia: Gingerbread

In honor of the gingerbread contest at Fort Concho, today’s “Traditions and Trivia” will be the origin of gingerbread.

About the 11th century or so gingerbread arrived on the scene as either a spongy cake or a flatbread type treat.

Ginger, a spice with preservative properties, instantly became popular because the treat wouldn’t go bad quickly, however it took seven centuries before anyone had the idea to make a house out of the cookie version.

The website www.gingerbread.ultimategingerbread.com explains that “During the nineteenth century, gingerbread was modernized. When the Grimm brothers collected volumes of German fairy tales they found one about Hansel and Gretel, two children who, abandoned in the woods by penniless parents, discovered a house made of bread, cake and candies.”

Once again, Germany has a provided one of the favorite modern-day traditions of Christmas.

Many places this time of year have contests that allow the public to make delicious creations that are judged on creativity and taste, where all parts used must be edible.

For recipes on how to make gingerbread visit http://www.gingerbreadlane.com/recipe.html